idioms di kayla

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Questions and Answers

What does 'no matter what' mean in the context of commitment to a goal?

It means that nothing can stop you from reaching your goal.

What does it mean to say someone really knows what they're talking about?

It means they are very knowledgeable and have studied the subject for a long time.

What does the phrase 'you've got me there' indicate?

It indicates that someone has made a valid point that you agree with.

What does 'in the blink of an eye' mean?

It refers to something happening very quickly. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'drop a truth bomb'?

It means to reveal a fact that is devastating or hard to ignore. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'to take something with a grain of salt' mean?

It means to not take something too seriously or to be skeptical of it. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going' mean?

It means that strong people continue to work hard during difficult times. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'on thin ice' denote?

It denotes being in a risky situation. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'easy does it' imply?

It implies to be careful or gentle. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'to stand up for someone' mean?

It means to defend or support someone in a difficult situation. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'to talk a big game' mean?

It means to make grand claims about one's abilities without being able to back them up. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'to think on your feet'?

It means to react quickly and come up with a plan in urgent situations. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'to show up' mean?

It means to arrive at a place. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to live in denial?

It means to ignore the consequences of one's actions. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'you can't have your cake and eat it too' imply?

It implies that one cannot have conflicting desires or benefits at the same time. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'to rain on someone's parade' mean?

It means to spoil someone's excitement or plans. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'to dangle something' mean in a metaphorical sense?

It means to offer a reward to motivate someone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'bringing in the big bucks'?

It means making a lot of money. Signup and view all the answers

What does the idiom 'buckle in' mean?

Prepare for something difficult Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cut to the chase' imply?

Get to the main point Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'the whole nine yards' refers to what?

Planning all details Signup and view all the answers

If something 'costs an arm and a leg', it means it is:

Very expensive Signup and view all the answers

What does 'barking up the wrong tree' mean?

Making a mistake Signup and view all the answers

Feeling 'under the weather' means:

Sick Signup and view all the answers

What does the idiom 'a dime a dozen' refer to?

Something common and cheap Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'cat got your tongue' is used to suggest that someone is being silent or not responding.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does 'take the bull by the horns' mean?

Confront a fear directly Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'speak of the devil'?

To mention someone who appears unexpectedly Signup and view all the answers

What does 'seeing is believing' imply?

One must see things to trust them Signup and view all the answers

What does 'throw in the towel' mean?

To give up or surrender. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'it takes two to tango'?

Both parties are involved in a situation Signup and view all the answers

If someone says 'no pain, no gain', what do they mean?

Only rewards come with hard work Signup and view all the answers

What does 'white knuckles' refer to?

Being very scared or anxious Signup and view all the answers

When someone says 'two peas in a pod', what are they referring to?

Two people who get along very well Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when someone says they are 'locked and loaded'?

They are ready for action Signup and view all the answers

What does 'jump on the bandwagon' mean?

To become a part of something popular Signup and view all the answers

What does 'down the road' imply?

In the distant future Signup and view all the answers

What does the idiom 'a game changer' mean?

Something that makes a significant difference Signup and view all the answers

If someone says they need to 'get it together', they need to _____

calm down and focus Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'knock it out' means to complete a task quickly.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does 'word of mouth' mean?

Informal spread of information Signup and view all the answers

When someone says 'it's go time', what do they mean?

It's time to start something Signup and view all the answers

When someone says 'I hit the jackpot', they mean:

They achieved something great Signup and view all the answers

If something is described as 'top notch', it is:

The best or of high quality Signup and view all the answers

The term 'rock solid' signifies:

Something very strong or dependable Signup and view all the answers

To describe something as 'laid back' means it is:

Relaxed and easygoing Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'wishy-washy' describes a person who is:

Indecisive and unable to make clear decisions Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cheesy' typically describe?

Tacky or overly sentimental Signup and view all the answers

The idiom 'to swallow your pride' means to:

Admit mistakes and ask for help Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when someone is 'loaded'?

They are wealthy Signup and view all the answers

If a suggestion is 'off the wall', it typically means it's:

Creative and unexpected Signup and view all the answers

If something is described as 'bougie', it means it is:

Very fancy or pretentious Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

### Common American Idioms

Buckle in: Prepare for something difficult or challenging.
Cut to the chase: Get to the main point.
The whole nine yards: Thought of all aspects and details.
Cost an arm and a leg: Very expensive.
Barking up the wrong tree: Pursuing the wrong thing.
Under the weather: Feeling sick (mild illness).
A dime a dozen: Very common and inexpensive.
Cat got your tongue?: A sassy way to ask why someone is being silent.
It takes two to tango: It requires two people for an action or problem.
No pain, no gain: Achieving something requires hard work or effort.
Take the bull by the horns: Confront your fears, face a challenge directly.
Speak of the devil: A person you are discussing enters the room unexpectedly.
Seeing is believing: Must see thing for yourself to believe it.
Throw in the towel: Give up or surrender.
Put your foot down: Be firm and stubborn about a decision.
Jump on the bandwagon: Become a fan of something popular that is successful.
Didn't miss a beat: Continued without being distracted.
Flip the script: Change your approach or attitude.
Get into the weeds: Focus on very small technical details.
Make a move: Take action towards something you've been waiting to do, often romantic.
Bear in mind: Remember this detail, it is important for understanding.
Down the road: Later in the future.
Game changer: Something that significantly positively or negatively impacts a situation.
Get it together: Calm down, focus on the task at hand.
Before you know it: Time passed quickly, something happened unexpectedly fast.
What's the catch?: There is a hidden negative aspect that makes something seem less appealing.
Two peas in a pod: Two people or things that go well together.
I can't believe my eyes: Something is amazing or shockingly good or bad.
Between a rock and a hard place: Stuck between two undesirable choices.
Choose between two evils: Both choices have negative implications.
Leaving a lot to the imagination: Not enough detail is provided in a story.
TMI / Too much information: Giving too much personal information.
And the rest is history: The ending is well known, the story is classic.
Fresh off the boat: A newcomer to a country, not yet acclimated.
Don't even bother: It’s impossible or not worth the effort.
Knock it out: Finish a task quickly.
Word of mouth: Hearing about something through informal discussion, not advertisement.
It's go time!: Time to start, be motivated.
Bonus points (if you know this too): An extra challenge to test knowledge.
White knuckles: Holding on tightly because of fear.
Swallow your pride: Be humble enough to ask for help.
Going off the rails: A situation is becoming chaotic or crazy.
By all means: You have permission to do something, a polite response to a request.
Travel light: Bring only essential items when traveling.
Worship the ground that they walk on: Have a high opinion of someone, especially if they are admired.
Hall of Fame: The best of the best, people or things that are excellent in an area.
World class: The highest quality or very good, often for something that is internationally recognized as excellent.
Hit the jackpot: Unexpectedly experience great luck or success.
Bet the house: Risk everything on something.
Bank on it: Be very sure that something will happen, rely on it.
In the cards: Likely to happen.
Heavy-duty: Strong, durable, able to withstand harsh conditions.
Good enough: Acceptable, will pass but maybe not excellent.
Point A to point B: From one location to another.
Second thoughts: Rethinking a decision, considering changing your mind.
Just for fun: Not serious or official, done for enjoyment.
Topnotch: Excellent quality, the best.
Low-key: Relaxed, casual, not trying for attention.
Off the wall: Unusual or strange, often in a bad way.
Run-of-the-mill: Ordinary, average, nothing special.
High-end: Expensive and luxurious.
Over the top: Exaggerated, dramatic, excessively enthusiastic.
Deadbeat: Lazy and irresponsible, especially someone who doesn't pay their debts or support their family.
Next level: Extremely good, significantly better than others.
Laid back: Relaxed, easy-going.
Rock solid: Strong, reliable, dependable.
Hyped (for): Excited, enthusiastic.
Wishy-washy: Indecisive, unable to make clear decisions.
Cheesy: Tacky, sentimental, often in a bad way.
Spiffy: Neatly dressed, stylish, looking nice.
Bonkers: Crazy, insane, a very informal word.
Legit: Legitimate, genuine and good, often slang.
Edgy: Bold, unconventional, pushing boundaries of what is acceptable.
Snazzy: Stylish, fancy.
Flaky: Unreliable, unpredictable.
Trashy: Low-quality, inappropriate, bad taste.
Bougie: Pretentious, high-class, fancy.
Loaded: Very wealthy and rich.
Shady: Dishonest, untrustworthy.
Ballsy: Bold, courageous, often used in an inappropriate way.
Dicey: Risky, uncertain, potentially dangerous.
[Blank] has entered the chat: Something arrives unexpectedly, often used in online conversations.
Popped off: Something has done very well, been very successful.
By and large: Generally, overall, for the most part.
Hard stop: A deadline, time to end an activity or meeting.
Flop: Unsuccessful, a failure.
Attention span: The amount of time one can focus on a specific task.
Now that you mention it: Remembering something because someone brought it to your attention.
This goes to show: Summarizes a point, draws a conclusion from an experience.
Can’t win them all: Not every effort will be successful, it's okay to have setbacks.
I don’t know what I was thinking! Regret a decision made, think it was a bad decision.
No matter what: Despite any challenges or changes, you will do it.

No Matter What - Meaning and Usage

"No matter what" implies unwavering commitment to achieving a goal, despite challenges or the desire to give up.
This phrase emphasizes determination and resilience, highlighting the speaker's resolve to push through any obstacle.

Know What You're Talking About - Complimenting Knowledge

"You really know what you're talking about" expresses admiration for someone's expertise or knowledge.
Used as an informal compliment, it acknowledges their understanding of a subject.

You've Got Me There - Acknowledging a Valid Point

"You've got me there" is used to concede a valid point or good advice.
It acknowledges the speaker's argument and indicates a change in perspective.

Good Taste - Appreciation for Style and Preferences

"They have good taste" is used to compliment someone's sense of style, preferences, or choices in various aspects.
Examples include clothing, music, food, or home decor.

In the Blink of an Eye - Expressing Rapid Change

"In the blink of an eye" suggests a sudden event, happening quickly and unexpectedly.
This phrase emphasizes the swiftness of change, leaving little room for preparation or reaction.

"Drop a bomb" refers to delivering unexpected and upsetting news or information, like a metaphorical bomb.
It's used when the news is distressing, potentially causing significant consequences.

Drop a Truth Bomb - Highlighting an Uncomfortable Fact

"Drop a truth bomb" involves revealing a widely known but uncomfortable truth, bringing attention to a sensitive issue.
This phrase emphasizes the importance of discussing difficult subjects and challenging established norms.

Along the Lines - Expressing a General Idea

"Along the lines" means to indicate a general direction or idea without specifying exact details.
It implies a vague concept, allowing for flexibility and potential variations.

Push Something On Someone - Being Too Assertive

"Pushing something on someone" means attempting to make someone accept something they may not want, like food, help, or favors.
This phrase emphasizes being overly insistent or forceful in your attempts to persuade or influence.

Peak of Human Existence - The Greatest Time to Be Alive

"Peak of human existence" refers to a period of high achievement and advancement, considered the best time to live.
This phrase implies a sense of progress and optimizes, but also hints at potential future decline.

To Peak - Reaching a High Point and Potentially Declining

"To peak" indicates reaching the highest point or level of something, often followed by a decline or decrease.
This phrase implies a period of excellence or popularity, but also acknowledges its potential transience.

Grow To Like/Dislike - Change in Opinion Over Time

"To grow to like/dislike" means to change your perspective of something over time due to repeated exposure or experiences.
This phrase emphasizes gradual shifts in opinion, reflecting an evolving appreciation or aversion to something.

Dangle Something - Offering a Reward or Incentive

"Dangle something" implies presenting an offer or incentive to motivate someone to work harder or perform better.
This phrase often suggests a potential reward, tempting the receiver with the promise of something desirable.

In Retrospect - Reflecting on the Past with New Knowledge

"In retrospect" means looking back on past events with the benefit of present knowledge, revealing wiser choices or missed opportunities.
This phrase emphasizes the value of hindsight and the possibility of changing decisions with current understanding.

Bring In the Big Bucks - Making a Lot of Money

"Bringing in the big bucks" refers to earning a substantial amount of money, often indicating success and financial abundance.
This phrase emphasizes financial gain and high income levels, often used humorously when discussing wealth.

Come into the Spotlight - Attracting Attention

"Come into the Spotlight" means to become the subject of attention or significant focus, similar to a literal spotlight shining on a stage.
This phrase highlights an event or person gaining prominence, bringing it to the forefront of public awareness.

Audacity - A Bold or Arrogant Action

"Audacity" refers to boldness or daring, often used negatively to express disapproval of someone's presumptuous behavior.
This phrase implies a lack of modesty and a disregard for social norms or expectations.

Look Like a Sad Puppy - Displaying Sadness and Helplessness

"Look like a sad puppy" describes someone who appears dejected and pitiful, evoking feelings of sympathy and concern.
This phrase visualizes their sadness and helplessness, comparing them to a distressed animal.

Bring Up - Mention or Discuss a Topic

"Bring up" means to mention or raise a topic for discussion.
It emphasizes the initiation of a conversation around a particular subject.

Seal the Deal - Make a Decision or Agreement Final

"Seal the deal" means to make something definitive or finalize an agreement.
It suggests a formal commitment or acceptance, making a decision irreversible.

Giving Attitude - Acting Rude or Disrespectful

"Giving attitude" indicates someone behaving rudely or disrespectfully, showing negative feelings or expressing opposition.
This phrase emphasizes defiant or challenging behavior, typically used in casual conversations.

Here's The Thing - Introducing Important Information

"Here's the thing" is used to introduce critical information or a problem that needs attention.
It signals the importance of what follows, highlighting the need for focus and understanding.

Imagine Having To - Acknowledging a Difficult Situation

"Imagine having to" evokes a challenging scenario, highlighting its burden or difficulty.
This phrase emphasizes the imagined hardship, expressing a sense of empathy or disbelief.

Live in Denial - Ignoring Unpleasant Realities

To live in denial means to avoid facing uncomfortable truths or to ignore their consequences, pretending they do not exist.
This phrase implies a lack of awareness or self-deception, choosing to ignore unpleasant realities.

Can't Go Wrong - All Options Are Good

""Can't go wrong" means all choices or options are equally positive or acceptable, resulting in a positive outcome.
This phrase emphasizes the lack of downsides, suggesting a win-win situation.

We're Off - Indicating Departure

“We're off ” is a casual way to announce the departure and the intention to leave a place, often implying excitement.
This phrase is useful in everyday situations, especially when leaving for a fun activity.

Gun to Your Head - Making a Decision Under Pressure

“Gun to your head” means forcing someone to make a decision in a stressful situation or limited timeframe, where contemplation is not allowed.
This phrase emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of the decision, often used humorously or rhetorically.

To the Extent Of - Specifying Limit or Reach

“To the extent of” defines the scope or boundaries of something, specifying its limit or reach in terms of size, impact, or duration.
This phrase is used to establish the precise range of something, providing clear boundaries or limitations.

Stand Up for Someone - Defending in a Difficult Situation

"Stand up for someone" implies supporting and defending someone in a situation where they are being mistreated, bullied, or harassed.
This phrase demonstrates loyalty, compassion, and willingness to advocate for those in need.

Talk a Big Game - Bragging about Abilities

"Talk a big game" means to boast about oneself or one's abilities, often exaggerated, possibly without backing up the claims with actions.
This phrase suggests someone is overly confident, potentially creating a disconnect between words and actions.

Uphill Battle - A Difficult Challenge

“Uphill Battle” refers to a challenging endeavor, requiring sustained effort and persistence to overcome obstacles.
This phrase emphasizes the difficulty of achieving a goal, signifying a struggle requiring determination.

Take it with a Grain of Salt - Don't Overvalue an Opinion

“Take something with a grain of salt” means to consider an opinion or advice with caution, acknowledging it may not be completely reliable.
This phrase emphasizes the need for skepticism, particularly when dealing with uncertain or subjective views.

Practice What You Preach - Actions Match Words

“Practice what you preach” means to align one's actions with their words and advice, demonstrating authenticity and consistency.
This phrase emphasizes the importance of living by one's values, aligning actions with professed beliefs.

Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too - Conflicting Desires

“Can't have your cake and eat it too” expresses the impossibility of fulfilling contradictory desires or expectations simultaneously.
This idiom emphasizes the need to prioritize choices and accept that compromises are necessary.

“Rain on someone’s parade” implies sharing disappointing or negative news that spoils someone’s excitement or enthusiasm.
This phrase emphasizes the act of dampening someone's spirits, highlighting a less-than-enthusiastic response.

Act in the Heat of the Moment - Behaving Impulsively

“Act in the heat of the moment” means to react impulsively or emotionally in a situation, often leading to regrettable actions or decisions.
This phrase highlights the tendency to act without thinking, driven by strong emotions rather than logic or careful consideration.

Think on Your Feet - React Quickly and Smartly

“Think on your feet” means to respond to situations quickly and effectively without forethought or preparation, demonstrating improvisation and adaptability.
This phrase highlights the ability to react quickly, often in unforeseen circumstances, showcasing resourcefulness and ingenuity.

When the Going Gets Tough - Dealing with Difficulties

"When the going gets tough" is a phrase used to describe a challenging situation requiring resilience and determination.
This idiom emphasizes the importance of persevering despite obstacles, especially during difficult times.

On Thin Ice - In a Risky Situation

"On thin ice" refers to a precarious situation with a high risk of failure or negative consequences if mistakes are made.
This phrase emphasizes the fragility of the situation, highlighting the potential for trouble or danger.

Easy Does It - Being Careful and Gentle

"Easy does it" is used as a warning to proceed cautiously, reminding someone to be gentle and avoid damaging anything or hurting themselves.
It emphasizes the need for care and deliberation during delicate tasks or situations.

Do Your Thing - Proceed Independently

"Do your thing" is a casual phrase suggesting someone should continue their work or activity in their own way, without interference.
This phrase is used as an encouraging statement to continue with an action, often suggesting independence and confidence in one's abilities.

Go Head To Head - Compete Directly

“Go head to head” implies competing directly against another person or group, often in a contest of skills or abilities.
This phrase highlights the emphasis on direct competition, focusing on one-on-one challenge between rivals.

Link Up - Get Together with Friends

"Link up" is a casual phrase meaning to meet up with friends or acquaintances for a casual encounter, often for social purposes.
This phrase suggests a relaxed and informal gathering, emphasizing a planned meeting with friends.

Show Up - Arrive at a Place

“Show up” is a casual phrase indicating arrival at a specific location, whether for a meeting, event, or a social gathering.
This phrase emphasizes the act of arriving, often focusing on punctuality or the timing of the arrival.

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